Jukka Jalonen Praises Juuse Saros’ Performances in the World Championship
Jukka Jalonen, the head coach of the Finnish national hockey team, known as the “Leijonat,” has been following the ongoing **World Championship** from the comfort of his home, expressing optimism about his team’s prospects. Jalonen served as the coach from 2008 to 2013 and is currently active from 2018 until 2024. Although he is not physically present at the event in Stockholm, he has been keenly observing the matches remotely, although he mentions that he has not analyzed every substitution through a coach’s lens.
In a statement to Iltalehti during a preliminary meeting for the Milan-Cortina Olympics, Jalonen highlighted his perspectives on the tournament, suggesting that he has a good overall grasp of Finland’s gameplay despite not being on-site. The match against **Canada** particularly warmed his heart as Finland triumphed over the tough Canadian side with a score of 2–1, following a penalty shootout.
“That game really showcased the kind of **mindset** we need to adopt for such high-stakes matches. You could see that there was no fear on the ice. The players had the **courage** to play boldly and to make shorter passes when necessary,” Jalonen remarked. He stressed that in such intense games, teams must be willing to attack to avoid pitfalls. Highlighting the pivotal role of goalkeeping in significant victories, he credited Juuse Saros for his excellent performance in goal.
Game 8 – The Showdown with the USA
Jukka Jalonen believes in the Lions’ chances against the USA. AOP
Looking ahead to the quarterfinals, Jalonen believes Finland’s starting position against the United States is advantageous. A victory would propel Finland into the medal rounds, while a loss would mark the end of the tournament for the players. “One significant advantage for Finland is that the team has managed to stay in Stockholm. The Americans, having just traveled from Denmark, faced a long transition that could hinder their performance,” Jalonen noted.
He explained that the American team would not be able to practice properly on Wednesday, as their travel schedule would disrupt their preparation. “The game is scheduled for 16:20 local time, so they won’t have ample time to practice on the ice even on the morning of the game,” he added, reflecting on the challenges that the USA team might face.
In their last preliminary match, the United States defeated the Czech Republic with a score of 5–2. “In that game, the Americans played exceptionally well. They had over 50 shots on goal, which took me by surprise,” Jalonen expressed, acknowledging the competitive nature of the upcoming match. “It’s going to be a tight game. Out of all the available teams, I would have preferred to face the USA, if given the choice,” he affirmed. Historically, the USA has not won the men’s championship since the “sweater era” in 1933.
Defensive Strength and Juuse Saros
Juuse Saros has been Finland’s top player in the World Championship so far. Pasi Liesimaa
Throughout the first seven matches, Finland has demonstrated impressive defensive skills, allowing only a few goals against them. “With just ten goals conceded in seven games, that’s absolutely remarkable. If this trend continues, Finland will win gold. Averaging 1.34 goals against per game puts us in a strong position,” Jalonen asserted confidently.
At 62 years old, Jalonen is currently coaching the Italian national team. In his first season, he successfully elevated the **Azzurri** to the A division, ensuring their participation in next spring’s World Championships. However, his primary focus remains on Italy’s significant aspiration of making a mark at next winter’s home Olympics in Milan.